Mechanism for wrapping roll paper



May 17, 1960 H. T. GALLEY 2,936,559

' uzcmmzsu ma mrvmc ROLL PAPER Filed Feb. 26, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 i, HOLLIS 2: GALLEY WV 6 BY KMM May 17, 1960 H. T. GALLEY ET MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING ROLL PAPER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 26, 1958 HOLLIS 7. GALLE) FRANK 8. .SPE'LBR/NK INVENTORS wwm ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 H. 1'. GALLEY ETA!- 2,936,559

uscmmsu ms WRAPPING ROLL PAPER Filed Feb. 26, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet z N HOLLIS r GALLEY FRANKB. SPELgg NK INVENTO KWM A 7' TORNEYS May 17, 1960 H. 'r. GALLEY ETA!- uzcmmzsu FOR menus ROLL PAPER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 26, 1958 HOLLIS 7'. GALLEY FRANK B. SPELBR/N/f INVENTORS ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 H. T. GALLEY ETAL MECHANISMFOR WRAPPING ROLL PAPER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed F20. 26, 1958 fv\s;i V

HULL/S 7.' GALLE Y FRANK B. .S'PELBRl/VK INVENTORS ATTOR/V'YS United States Patent MECHANISM FOR WRAPPING ROLL PAPER Hollis T. Galley and Frank B. Spelbrink, Rochester, N.Y., assignors to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 26, 1958, Serial No. 717,750

9 Claims. (Cl. 53--211) The present invention relates to a wrapping device, and

more particularly to a device for wrapping a roll of paper, such as photographic paper, in a lightproof wrapping which effectively protects the sensitized paper against light. The ends of the wrapper are arranged in lightprotecting relation in the form of overlapping folds over the ends of the paper rolls.

The present invention has as its principal object the provision of a new and improved wrapping device for applying a wrapper to a roll of paper to enclose the latter to seal the ends thereof in a light-protected relation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device by which the wrapper is arranged in lighttight folds over the ends of the paper roll.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a wrapping device in which the folding of the wrapper over the ends of the roll occurs simultaneously with the enclosing of the roll in the main or central portion of the wrapper.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of vacuum means for arranging the side flaps of the wrapper in light-tight folds over the ends of the paper roll.

To these and other ends, the inventive idea resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a paper roll wrapping device constructed in accordance with preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the relation of the vacuum box and the end flap folding pockets. The side. flap folding and guiding members have been moved to an inoperative position to enable the paper roll to be placed in wrapping relation;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the side flap folding and guiding member moved to its operative position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the roll of paper in wrapping position and with the leading end of the wrapper connected to the trailing end of the web of paper on the roll. Also, the action of the side flap folding and guiding members is shown Some of the folding pockets have been omitted to show more clearly the reaction of the arcuate stop member for the roll.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 3, but at a later 1 Fig. 6 isfa substantially horizontal sectional view taken through one of the folding wheels and substantially on line 66 of Fig. 5, showing the relation of a few ad jacent vacuum pockets and its associated vacuum box and the manner in which the wrapper side flaps are folded;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a pletely wrapped paper roll.

Similar reference numerals throughout the various views indicate the same parts.

Figs. 1-4 show a portion 10 of a supporting frame on which a wrapper supporting member 11 is positioned. A shaft 12 is suitably mounted for rotation in the frame 10 and has positioned thereon a pulley 13 which is connected by a belt 14, see Fig. 1, to a suitable sourceof power, not shown. The parts so far described are shown for illustrative purposes only and form no part of the present invention.

A pair of wrapping wheels 20 are suitably secured to the shaft 12 for rotation as a unit therewith. The upper portion 21 of the wheels projects through registering slot 22 in the supporting member 11 as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1-4. Also, each-wheel 20 is provided with an annular boss 23 which extends inwardly from the inner face 24 of the wheel, as best shown in Fig. 1, in which only one of the bosses is shown. The periphery of the boss 23 projects slightly above the member 11 as shown in Fig. 1 and provides rotating support for a roll of paper 25, which is to be wrapped as shown in Fig. 3. While in the preferred form the roll of paper 25 is supported on boss 23 formed on separate wheels 20, it is apparent that the wheels may be connected by a continuous cylindrical core or hub which will provide the rotative support for the roll of paper.

'Ihe wrapper, generally indicated by the numeral 26, is of a length sufiicient to enclose the roll 25 fully to provide a complete wrapper therefor. If the roll 25 is in the form of photographic paper, obviously the wrapper is made of an opaque nature to protect the roll 25 against light. The Wrapper 26 has a central panel or portion 27 of a width substantially equal to the width of the roll 25 so as to wrap around the periphery 30 thereof, as is deemed apparent. Also, the wrapper 26 is formed with a pair of side flaps 28 which project laterally from the side edges of the central portion 27, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 and 4. The leading end of the portion 27 is adhesively or otherwise secured to the tailing end of the paper which forms the roll 25, so that as the latter is rotated, in a manner to be later described, the portion 27 is drawn toward and is wrapped aroundthe periphery 30 of the roll. While the portion 27 is being wrapped around the periphery 30 of roll 25, the side flaps 28 of wrapper 26 are folded up radially and directed toward the ends 31 of the roll. As the flaps 28 approach the roll 25, the flaps are arranged in folds 32 against the ends 31 of the roll, as will be later described.

To secure this result, the wheels 20 are arranged so that they project above the member 11, a distance slightly greater than one-half the diameter of the roll 25, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Now, when the wheels 20 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow, the roll supporting bosses 23 impart a clock-. wise rotation to roll 25, to cause the wrapper 26 to move to the left, Figs. 2 and 3, to be wrapped around the roll, as is deemed apparent. As the Wrapper 26 is moved to the left, a pair of vertically-arranged flap folding or retaining members 40 cooperate with the Wheels 20 to fold the flaps 28 upwardly out of the plane of the central portion 27 to a position substantially normal thereto and radial of the roll 25. The folding or retaining members 40 are of the shape best shown in Figs. 2 -4, and have the leading or front edges 41 thereof portion of a comthe. form of opposite sides of an inverted channel shaped member, as is deemed apparent. The lower front ends of members 40 are connected by a plate 42 spaced a slight distance above member 11 so that panel 27 moves between plate 42 and member 11.

The members 40 are spaced slightly ahead of or to the right of the portions 21 of the wheels 20, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The left or rear end of the members 40 are connected by a bridging member 43 which connects the rear or left end of the members 40. Of course, if the members 40 are formed as an inverted channel member, as mentioned above, the bridging member 43 is not needed and may be omitted. The member 43 carries a pair of rearwardly extending eye bolts 44 formed with aligned apertures 45 to receive the rod 46 about which the member 40 may be swung to a flap guiding or retaining position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or to an inoperative position as shown in Fig. 1, to permit a roll of paper to be placed in position on the bosses 23, as is deemed apparent. The opposite ends of the rod 46 are supported in standards 47 which are supported on and extend upward from the supporting member 11.

As the wrapper 26 is moved to the left, as mentioned above, the flaps 28 are guided and retained between the retaining members 40 and the inner surfaces or faces 24 of the Wheels 20 so the flaps are folded about the side edges of the panel 27 and extend upwardly in a direction radial of the roll 25. As the flaps 28 are moved toward the roll 25, they are arranged in folds 32 which are positioned adjacent the ends 31 of the roll 25. For reasons to be later described, the flaps 28, and hence the folds 32 extend upward to a point which overlies the central opening 49 of the roll 25.

In order to cause the flaps 28 to be arranged in folds 32, the inner surface 24 of each wheel 20 may be formed with annularly arranged recesses or pockets 52. Each pocket is substantially triangular in shape radially, and has its apex substantially at the boss 23. Each pocket extends radially outward from the boss 23 to a point adjacent the center of the central opening 49 of the roll 25, as best shown in Fig. 5. Also, the pockets 52 .are of the axial and peripheral shape best shown in Fig. 6. For manufacturing reasons, the pockets 52 preferably are formed in separate members 54, see Fig. 6, which may be suitably secured to the inner faces 24 of the wheels 20. It is contemplated, however, that the pockets 52 may be formed directly out of the material of the wheel itself. Each wheel 20 is formed with a plurality of small apertures 55 which extend inward from the outer face 56 of the wheel and into the pockets 52, as best shown in Fig. 6.

As the wheels 20 are rotated, the pockets 52 are successively moved to a position above the support 11'. In such position, the pockets 52 and the apertures 55 are brought into alignment and communication with suction or vacuum boxes 57 which are supported on the member 11 and positioned adjacent the outer surfaces 56 of the wheels, as shown in Figs. 1-4 and 6. Each vacuum box is connected by a pipe 58 to a source of vacuum, not shown. The result is that as the pockets 52 are moved to a position in registry with the ends 31 of the rolls 25, vacuum is applied to the pockets 52 from the vacuum box 57 through apertures 55. Each vacuum box 57 has its main portion positioned ahead of or to the right of the vertical axis of the roll 25, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. By means of this arrangement, the folding of the flaps 28 begins as soon as the flaps extend past vertical center line of the roll 25.

Fig. 6 shows the steps in forming'the flaps 28-into the folds 48. As the wheels 20 are moved to the right, Fig.

6, or to the left, Figs. 1-3, the wrapper 26 is similarly moved and the flaps 28 initially come into alignment with the left pocket, Fig. 6, at which point the flap 28 is drawn partially into the pocket as shown in 59. As the pocket is advanced, the flaps is drawn further into the pocket as shown at 60, Fig. 6, until finally the flap is drawn all the way into the pocket, as shown at 61, Fig. 6. During the. fold-forming operation, the wheels 20 travel faster than the wrapper so that after the fold is in position as" shown at 61', the inclined trailing edge 62 of the pocket passes over the fold and presses it in the form of a fiat fold against the surface of the end 31 of the roll 25 as shown at 32, Fig. 6. The size and frequency of the folds may be controlled by the annular spacing of the pockets.

As mentioned above, as the flaps 28 approach the roll 25, the flaps are guided and retained between the inner surfaces 24 of the wheel and the retaining and folding members 40. However, after the flaps have been folded, as above described, it is preferred that the folds'pass inside the members 40 so as to prevent interference between the folds and that portion of the wrapper which has not yet been folded. To secure this result, the rear ends of the member 40 are flared or spread out laterally; by means of a spacer bar 64, the ends of which are formed with notches 65 to receive rear edges 66 of the members 40 to space the rear ends of thelatter the desired distance apart.

As the wrapper begins to be wound onto roll 25, theleading end of the flaps 28 is not folded and thus becomes too long and does not remain against theends of the roll. The result is that the leading ends of the flaps tend tov extrude to the left and beyond the periphery of the roll 25. In order to prevent such extrusion beyond the periphery curved or arcuate stops 67 are provided as shown in Fig. 1. These stops 67, only one of which is shown, are held against the inner surface 24 of the wheels by means of spring 68 carried by a bar 69. These stops serve to force the flaps 28 into the vacuum folding pockets 52. In addition, the stops 67 also serve to hold the paper roll in proper position for wrapping.

After the roll of paper has been completely wrapped, thefiaps 28 are folded down against the end of the roll and end cups 70 are used to force the portion of the folds which overlie the central hole 49 into the latter to provide the finished roll shown in Fig.7.

If desired, a rip panel, not shown, may be placed over the central wrapping portion 27 when the latter is in the position shown in Fig. 3, so as the panel 27 is wrapped around the roll the rip panel will be wrapped in interleaving convolutions with the panel 27. This rip panel is slightly longer than panel 27 so that in the completely wrapped roll, Fig. 7, a small tab 71 of the rippanel ex tends beyond the trailing end of thecentral panel 27, as shown in Fig. 7. This rip panel is in the form of a sheet of heavier material than panel 27. Now, when the roll is to be unwrapped, it is only necessary to grab the tab 71 and pull the latter away from the roll. This action will cause the rip panel to tear or rip the panel 27 along edges thereof to remove the panel 27 from the roll.

The present invention thus provides a new and improved wrapping device which will enclose a roll of paper in a closed, light-tight wrapper. While the present invention has been shown in connection with a roll of paper, it is deemed apparent, and is contemplated, that the above described device can be used to wrap various articles of cylindrical shape. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to wrapping a roll of paper. While the main or central panel is being wrapped around the periphery of the roll, theside flaps are automatically and simultaneously folded down against the ends of the roll. The-wheels 20, flap retaining and guiding members 40 and the vacuumboxes 57, as well as the other parts of the mechanism may be formed of any suitable material such as'metal or plastic.- In order that the operatiommaytbe observed, the wheels and vacuum boxes and the retaining members 40 are preferably made of a suitable transparent plastic. I V

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim as our invention and desire secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A mechanism for wrapping a roll product in a wrapper having an end portion adjacent to said roll to be drawn therearound when said roll is rotated, said wrapper also having a central portion for wrapping around said roll and side flaps projecting laterally from said central portion, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a pair of axially spaced and aligned rotary members, means on said members to support a roll for wrapping, means to rotate said members to turn said roll to wrap said central portion around said roll, and vacuum means associated with said rotary members to arrange said flaps in folds over the ends of said roll.

2. A mechanism for wrapping a roll product in a wrapa per having an end portion adjacent to said roll to be drawn therearound when said roll is rotated, said wrapper also having a central portion for wrapping around said roll and side flaps projecting laterally from said central portion, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a pair of axially spaced and aligned rotary members having apertures therein, means on said members to support a roll for wrapping, means to rotate said members to turn said roll to wrap said central portion around said roll, vacuum means adjacent the ends of said roll for applying suction through said apertures to spaced portions of said flaps for forming folds in said flaps, and means on said members for pressing the folds against the ends of said roll.

3. A mechanism for wrapping a roll product in a wrapper having an end portion adjacent to said roll to be drawn therearound when said roll is rotated, said wrapper also having a central portion for wrapping around said roll and side flaps projecting laterally from said central portion, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a

pair of axially spaced and aligned rotary members, means on said members to support a roll for wrapping, means to rotate said members to turn said roll to wrap said central portion around said roll, flapfolding pockets formed on the inner faces of said members, means to rotate said members to turn said roll to wrap said central portion around said roll, vacuum means to draw the flaps into said pockets to form said flaps into folds, and means on said members for pressing the folds against the ends of said roll.

4. A mechanism for wrapping a roll product in a wrapper having an end portion adjacent to said roll to be drawn therearound when said roll is rotated, said wrapper also having a central portion for wrapping around said roll and side flaps projecting laterally from said central portion, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a pair of axially spaced and aligned wheels, means on said wheels to support a roll for wrapping, means to guide said flaps between the ends of said roll and said wheels, means to rotate said wheels to turn said roll to wrap said central portion therearound and to draw said flaps toward said roll, vacuum means on said wheels to form folds in said flaps adjacent the ends of said roll, and means on said wheels engaging said folds to press the latter against the ends of said roll. i

5. A mechanism for wrapping a roll product in a wrapper having an end portion adjacent to said roll to be drawn therearound when said roll is rotated, said wrapper also having a central portion for wrapping around said roll and side flaps projecting laterally from said central por--, tion, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a pair of axially spaced and aligned wheels, means on said wheels to support a roll for wrapping, means to rotate said wheels to turn said roll to wrap said central portion around said roll, removable means positionable between said wheels and the ends of said roll and extending forwardly of the latter to guide said flaps between said wheels and said ends and to bend said flaps radially of said roll as the flaps approach the roll, fold forming por tions on the inner faces of said wheels to form said radially positioned flaps into folds adjacent the ends of said roll, and means on said wheels engaging said flaps to press the latter against said ends.

6. A mechanism for wrapping a roll product in a wrap! per having an end portion adjacent to said roll to be drawn therearound when said roll is rotated, saidwrapper also having a central portion for wrapping around said roll and side flaps projecting laterally from said central portion, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a pair of axially spaced and aligned wheels, means on said wheels to support a roll for wrapping, means to rotate said wheels to turn said roll to wrap said central portion around said roll, flap-folding pockets formed on the inner faces of said wheels, a vacuum box positioned in alignment with each end of said roll and adjacent said wheels, said wheels being formed with apertures to connect the pockets adjacent said roll ends to said vacuum boxes to draw said flaps into said pockets to form folds in said flaps adjacent the ends of said roll, and means on said wheels adjacent said pockets to engage sai-d folds to press the latter against the ends of said roll.

7. A mechanism for wrapping a roll product in a wrapper having an end portion adjacent to said roll to be drawn theraround when said roll is rotated, said wrapper also having a central portion for wrapping around said roll and side flaps projecting laterally from said central portion, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a pair of axially spaced and aligned wheels, means on said wheels to support a roll for wrapping, means to rotate said wheels to turn said roll to wrap said central portion around said roll, stop means positioned to engage said roll to retain the latter in position on said wheels, means to hold said stop means against the inner faces of said wheels to retain the leading edges of said flaps within the periphery of said roll, flap-guide means positionable between said wheels and the ends of said roll to fold and guide said flaps into position adjacent the ends of said roll, means to mount said guide means for movement out of flap guiding relation to permit a roll to be positioned on the roll Supporting means of said wheels, flap-folding pockets formed on the inner faces of said wheels, means to apply vacuum to said pockets as the latter move suc cessively into registry with the ends of said roll to draw said flaps into said pockets to form spaced radially extending folds in said flaps and over the ends of said roll, and means on said wheels for pressing said folds against the ends of said roll. t

8. A mechanism for wrapping a roll product in a wrapper having an end portion adjacent to said roll to be drawn therearound when said roll is rotated, said wrapper also having a central portion for wrapping around said roll and side flaps projecting laterally from said central portion, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a pair of axially spaced and aligned wheels, means on said wheels to support a roll for wrapping, means to rotate said wheels to turn said roll to wrap said central panel around the periphery of said roll, a flap guide-member having portions thereof positioned between said wheels and the ends of said roll to bend said flaps in a direction radially of said roll, a stop member positioned behind said roll, spring means to hold the stop member against the inner surfaces of said wheels to retain the leading ends of the flaps within the periphery of the roll, flap-folding 7 p'o'icl'iet's"ft n'n'le'd onthe inner" faces of said wheels, said stop member serving to force said flaps into said pockets, meansto apply vacuum to said-pockets as the latter'move into registry with the ends of the roll to form said flaps into folds as" the latter approach said wheels, and means onsaid' wheels adjacent said pockets to engage said folds to) press the latter against the ends of said roll.

9. A mechanism for wrapping a roll product in a wrapper'having an end portion adjacent to said roll to be drawn'therearound whensaid roll is rotated, said wrapper also having a central portion for wrapping around said roll and side flaps projecting laterally from said central portion; said mechanism comprising, in combination, a pair of axially spaced and aligned wheels, means on said Wheels to" supporta roll for wrapping, means to rotate said wheels to turn said roll to wrap said central portion around the periphery of said'roll', a flap-guide member having portions thereof positioned between said wheels andthe ends of said roll to bend said flaps in a direction radially of said roll; a' stop member positioned behind s'aid r'oll, spring mea'ns'to' holdth'e stop member againstthe inner surfaces of said wheels to prevent the leading ends of thefl'aps from" extruding beyond the periphery of the roll, flap-folding pockets formed on the inner faces of said wheels, said stop member serving to force said flaps intosaid pockets, means to applyvacuurn to said pockets as the latter move into registry with the ends of the roll v to form said flaps into folds as'the' latter approach s'a'id wheels, and means on said wheels adjacent said pockets toengage said folds to press-the latter against the ends of said roll.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,404,636 Mustee Jan. 24, 1922 2,643,499 Gerlach June 30, 1953 2,851,839 Himes et-alr Sept. 16, 1958 

